EVANSTON — Several orders of business, both large and small, were on the June 18 agenda of the Uinta County Commission meeting. One item, in particular, garnered substantial opposition. Commission Chairman Mark Anderson was absent and excused, Commissioner Eric South filled in as chair.

Clair Francis, the director of Uinta County Library, requested two separate lines of credit from the county for $100,000 and $80,000 to pay for upfront construction expenses that will be reimbursed from the $647,000 Multipurpose Community Grant and for the library’s general account, respectively.

“If everything works perfectly, we’ll be fine,” Francis said. “Never in the past have we had to use it, and we don’t expect to this year. Our budget this year is okay, and the funds will only be drawn if we need them. We should get some nice upgrades for the Evanston library.”

Uinta County Clerk Amanda Hutchinson explained to the commission that the county would cut a check for $80,000 allocated from funds as an advanced tax payment, though the $100,000 request is “more imminent cash flow” and “would require an expenditure line item. [Uinta County Attorney Loretta Howieson Kallas] will have to draw up paperwork for it.”  The commissioners approved the library’s requests.

Uinta County Public Health Nurse Manager ReaAnna Peltier presented on behalf of absent Uinta County Prevention Specialist Kendra Safford. Safford’s office’s recent grant funds were short by $582.35 and the commissioners needed to sign for a “diversion of funds form,” Hutchinson said. The funds were not going to be sent back because they were never received in the first place.

Peltier further clarified that the Public Health contract she was scheduled to present to the commission would be delayed as it needed revising, per Kallas’ recent review.

Emergency Manager Josh Rasnake requested the commission’s co-signing of receipt of nearly $17,000 from the Homeland Security Grant for seven election equipment carts that would lock and utilize ramps, granting easier and more efficient transportation of equipment. Rasnake said that the carts were already ordered and should arrive soon. The commissioners signed the request.

JUB Project Engineer Taylor Kofoed, representing Jeff Breininger with county maintenance, revisited general agreement task funding “for odds and ends services at Fort Bridger Airport ... not to exceed $10,000.”

Kofoed said that the amount isn’t used in full every year, and that the annual amount utilized was actually decreasing. The commissioners approved the funding.

Planner Kent Williams requested a conditional use permit (CUP) for an upcoming GT Nix Construction gravel pit with crushing equipment off Hwy 411, one mile west of Mountain View. Williams maintained that the operation, which had received favorable recommendation with the Planning and Zoning Commission, had been advertised properly, that the owners would be responsible for required Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permits regarding dust control and that he was “unaware of previous mining” at the site.

Williams said the pit would operate Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., and the crushing equipment would only operate on weekdays.

Jace Nix, vice president of GT Nix Construction, was present to answer questions and concerns.

“There aren’t immediate plans to begin just yet,” Nix said. “It’s all permitted, the dust and the noise,” admitting that while “smashing rocks, there’s going to be noise.”

Nix also admitted that the wind comes from the west, thus the town of Mountain View falls downwind of the proposed pit.

Mountain View Mayor Bryan Ayres said, “I’ve received nothing but negative feedback from citizens. No one is in favor of this because of the dust and the noise. It’s just over a mile from city limits.”

Shane Hurdsman said he is concerned about his neighboring pastureland, which shares a border with the pit’s location.

“The DEQ is worried about air. What if it gets thick enough to affect my feed there?” Hurdsman questioned.

Williams later responded directly that the pasture “would be a property owner matter,” independent of the CUP.

Mountain View Town Council Member Kelly Bonner said, “there’s silica in our dirt.”

She questioned whether a soil test had been conducted, and how ground water contamination could be prevented.

“You can’t stop the wind from blowing in from the west,” Bonner said, adding that at only 1.2 miles outside of town, “it’s going to end up in our town. Twelve hundred citizens may end up with health issues.”

Bonner, addressing the commissioners directly, concluded, “I don’t think you’d want this in your backyard, or upwind from you.”

Resident Steven Stucki, who said he’d had a 40-year career hauling gravel, said he was speaking on behalf of several friends and neighbors who couldn’t attend the weekday meeting.

“I know for a fact that the noise would be constant as long as it’s running. Just a mile away, the dust will be a significant problem. It will carry. I won’t be able to open my windows. Just something to consider.”

“I agree with everyone about the negatives, but I’m not against a pit for Jace,” Donna Bindl said. “I just do not agree with the location of this pit.” She said she appreciates the economic opportunities the construction company has provided.

Marvin Brady, who lives in the subdivision adjacent to the proposed pit location, cited his main concerns: silica, water contamination and dust and noise.

“Talking with people in my neighborhood, I don’t know anyone that would be for this,” Brady said.

He also suggested that this meeting and decision be held in Mountain View to allow the opportunity for more residents to attend.

Nix took the podium again to address concerns. He said that while a soil test had not been performed yet, “silica isn’t soluble, it won’t get into the soil.” He also said that the crusher would be overseen by the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) and that his family’s pit operations have “never had a dust problem before.”

Both South and Commissioner Brent Hatch inquired about the pit’s DEQ permit. Nix said the permits could not be pursued until the CUP was issued. Hatch further voiced concerns about the increase of heavy traffic on the highway.

“Is it healthy enough to handle the weight of these trucks?” Hatch wondered.

Williams offered to approach the Wyoming Department of Transportation to “see what they require, as far as usage.”

Bindl returned to the podium to explain that, while Hwy 411 had been upgraded in recent years, it was not widened.

“Trucks go through Mountain View all the time,” Bindl said. “It’s very unsafe.”

South said private landowners “should have the right to do what they want, but I can see the stuff that’s been brought up.”

Williams said that a split vote today would fail the measure. Kallas interjected that with only two commissioners present, there would not be a majority vote.

“Any hesitancy, you should table it today,” she added.

South voiced continued concerns about silica, that more investigation should be conducted.

“Let’s table it and look at it again later,” South said.

Hatch noted “lots of letters of concern, the safety of others, there’s a need for additional consideration.”

Nix acknowledged the negative commentary.

“I appreciate everyone being here,” he said. “I want to take care of my community, too, and not jeopardize it by operating. I’m planning to stick around, I’m not just a contractor coming through town — we’re here to stay. Table it now to have a clear conscience.”

Rep. Jon Conrad, R-Mountain View, had a number of items of business to share with the commission. Firstly, the county was passed over for the opportunity for a multi-million-dollar state shooting complex.

Next, “What’s coming to our ranchers — animal traceability electronic ear tags,” he said. Conrad said the federal government desires to implement mandatory ear tags by November 2024. The tags would be required for cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine and horses

“For rodeo or recreational livestock, the effort is to manage bursitis,” Conrad said.

A substantial concern is the cost, which varies between $2.40 - $5.80 per tag. Conrad also explained that the first case of avian flu has been found in cattle, “which reinforces the USDA to promote ear tags in case of an outbreak.”

Conrad said the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) finalized Resource Management Plan (RMP) for southwest Wyoming, which has so far received 30,000 comments, will be released in July or August.

“There will be a 30-day appeal period,” he said.

Gov. Mark Gordon will have a 60-day review period if applicable.

South responded stating, “It’s not lawful the way they (BLM) are doing it, the livelihoods they’re messing with in our state, in the west.”

Hutchinson sought final 2024 budget amendment approval. She cited extra funding provided to the county through grants, pursued by varying officials and managers.  She specifically credited the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office with securing an extra $13,000 in added revenue; Public Health’s additional $73,000 for workforce development and training; and Rasnake’s efforts to draw in an additional $17,000 for emergency management. The budget was approved.

Finally, Sheriff Andy Kopp requested an amendment to a contract with Summit Foods to provide hot commissary items — such as chicken fingers, cheeseburgers and nachos — to the jail.

“A lot of the inmates can’t afford the prices, nonetheless we’ll give it a go,” Kopp said.

He said the county receives a 10% commissary kickback. Kallas confirmed that “the county doesn’t pay for the commissary, but we do get a percent of the sales. But there needs to be a provision to offer hot foods.”

The commissioners approved the request.